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Welcome to Episode 191 of the Salsa Kings LIVE podcast
We have been featured as #1 in “Top 10 Salsa Podcasts” on FeedSpot.
Hey everyone, welcome back to Salsa Kings Live. In this episode Pablo & me talked about dancing, challenges, and how to grow as a dancer by focusing on small things first. This is a different way to think about salsa and any dance you do. It’s about learning to use what you have well before trying to do too much. Let me break it down for you.
Key Points
Challenge Yourself with Simple Music First
- Pablo gave a challenge to dance with simple songs that don’t have many instruments or lyrics.
- He said if you can’t dance well to a simple song, how will you dance to a complex salsa song with many instruments and lots of sounds?
- The idea is to start with “level one” — basic songs with just a few instruments. This helps you learn to hear and move to small details.
- Once you get good at this, you’ll be ready for “level four or five,” where songs have many layers and sounds.
- This helps you not get overwhelmed and lets you show what the music really means in your dance.
Why Simple is Harder Than You Think
- When a song has many things going on, sometimes dancers hide behind the music because it’s easy.
- But when there is only one sound or instrument, you have to use that one thing really well.
- It’s like being given only one pencil to draw with. You have to make the best art you can with just that one pencil.
- By practicing with one tool, you get better and stronger as a dancer. Then, when you add more tools (like more instruments or sounds), you can make beautiful, creative dances.
Growing Your Skills Step by Step
- Learning to dance with just one thing first prepares you for adding more complexity later.
- Using one thing well builds your skill and confidence.
- Then, adding a second thing lets you combine and create more interesting moves.
- Imagine having three tools — you can make even more beautiful “braids” and patterns in your dance.
- Salsa music has many instruments played by people who love music. Our job as dancers is to show that music with our bodies, starting from the basics and growing to the full orchestra.
How This Applies to Life and Dancing
- Pablo and I talked about how this idea is not just for dancing, but also for how you face challenges in life.
- Sometimes you might say “I don’t like dancing” and give up. But another way is to take the chance you get and try to make it work.
- When a student asks you to dance, even if you don’t like the song, try it anyway and learn how it makes you feel.
- It’s okay to say no sometimes — like not every song or date is right for you. Saying no helps you know what you really want.
- Practicing different parts of dancing (like following and leading) is not about changing who you are, but about growing your skills and understanding better.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for listening to this talk. Pablo shared a lot of wisdom about taking challenges step by step and using what you have well. The key is to start simple and build from there — whether it’s music, dance, or life. You don’t have to be perfect at everything at once. Learn to work with one thing, then add more, and you’ll grow naturally. We all have the chance to be salsa kings and queens in our own way. Keep challenging yourself and enjoy the journey.
If you want to see more, check out our YouTube channel at youtube.salsakings.com. We’re live every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from our Doral studio. Join the fun, leave comments, and learn with us. Thanks again for being part of this. This is Andres signing off.
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